OUR MODERN MAIDENS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19862, 25 February 1930, Page 15

OUR MODERN MAIDENS.

FOLLY OF MODERN YOUTH, j EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Although it is a silent picture, "Our ! Modern Maidens" is one of the most re- ' markable performances that have visited Christchuch for some time. It proves conclusively that "talkies" have not yet completely ousted silent films. While such pictures can be produced, the silents must remain. It'is a story of modern American youth, though the moral could apply equally well to modern youth of any country. The folly bi tampering with love is brought out and held up for all the world to tee. As a girl who, secretly engaged to one man, eeeka to secure a position for her fiance by flirting with another, Joan Crawford is in a part which suits her admirably. Too late, she discovers that her flirtation has meant mora to the man and to herself than she had intended or anticipated. Everything sorts itself out eventually, but not ia the manner one would .imagine. , Douglas Fairbanks, jun. takes ft leading part and hi# acting throughout is admirable. A long cast of stars includes Anita Page, Josephine Dunn, Rod la Rocque, Elliott Nugent, and Albert Gran, all ol whom are at their best in this great drama. The second pictura ia in similar strain. It is the story of a girl who i« torn from the sanctuary of a deportment school in Switzerland and plunged into the whirl of social life in California. The "gang" ohe falls in with are the wildest and have the most purposeless schemes imaginable Finding herself regarded M more or of a freak by her friends, ehe determines to become one of them, and is more than successful. Lois Moran takes the leading part and her transformation from the shy awkward girl to the sophisticated _ young thing of America is remarkablo in its cleverness. Nick Stuart, also in a leading part, shows ccnßiderablv more than usual ability in his interpretation. . The musical- programme arranged by Mr Albert Bidsood was excellent, as usual.